Every smart hiker knows that learning the skill of getting a good night’s sleep on the trail is not about spending a fortune on fancy brand-name sleeping pads and bags. 

Yes, it is a SKILL…and a crucial one, too.

It’s about three things:

• Knowing what’s right for YOU and the specific trail you’re on.
• Learning a few small tricks to help you navigate around Mother Nature’s little tests.
• Adjusting and improvising.

The purpose of this article is to make a digest of sorts between the three and put it into one actionable list of tips. 

THE BASICS

Before we get to the tips, let’s take a minute to make sure we get our basics right.

AIR MATTRESS, AIR PAD OR A FOAM MAT?

The obvious start is the design of your sleeping arrangement. Let’s make it really simple – a full air mattress is only an option if you’re driving to your local trail and car-camping. Sure, it’s comfortable, but it’s also bulky, heavy and more prone to punctures. It’s not a hiker’s choice.

That leaves us with sleeping pads and foam mats – a foam mat costs next to nothing, but on its own, that’s also what you can use it for – next to nothing.

But pair a foam mat with a good sleeping pad and you have your cozy nest for the night. Place a foam mat under your air pad. It will provide extra comfort while protecting the pad from punctures.

This will be the recipe for most hikers out there. Modern air pads pack small and the foam mat can be conveniently strapped to the side of your backpack.

DON’T AVOID DOWN WHEN CHOOSING A SLEEPING BAG

The discussion in the hiking community about down vs. synthetics for a sleeping bag has been going on for so long now that the noise has drowned the basic facts. 

Here are the facts that make the controversy moot:

• Warmth-to-weight ratio of down is much higher than any synthetic material used for sleeping bags today. It’s also the more comfortable option. 
• Down loses the mentioned thermal properties if it’s wet.

So, should you avoid down? Absolutely not.

If you don’t expect cold and if you don’t mind the few extra ounces, of course you can go with synthetics. But if you do need to keep warm on a harsh trail, then it all comes down to looking after your gear and keeping it dry.

The best way to keep your gear dry.

It’s a myth that only a rain cover can do the trick. In fact, most seasoned hikers are not fans of the rain cover and use the good old trash compactor bag. It costs next to nothing, it’s less of a hassle and it’s more effective.

Now that we have our basics right, let’s get to those tips we promised – the small things that can make all the difference.

8 TIPS – HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP WHEN HIKING

TIP 1: FUEL YOUR FURNACE WITH SOME FAT

On the trail, you are the furnace. 

Your body is the source of heat. Your sleeping bags and pads are merely devices that allow you to keep that heat trapped. Your last meal of the day should be robust and fatty.

It makes it harder for your body to break the nutrients down and that produces more heat. It’s also by far the most caloric-dense food, so it’s a win-win.

You’ll rarely have a chance to eat a pork chop on the trail, so a nice chunk of butter in your cocoa will do the trick.

TIP 2: LOFT FIRST

A sleeping bag relies on the air trapped between the fibers or down pieces for its insulation properties.

After being squeezed into a corner of your backpack under cans of beans and nuts, it looses some of its insulating abilities.

No reason to worry – just make it a rule of thumb to take your bag out as soon as you set camp. This will allow it to expand, let the air back in and regain its properties.

TIP 3: DRY SLEEP IS WARM SLEEP

Make sure you are completely dry before hitting the sack.

What we are talking about here is not changing your pants if they are soaking wet. I am talking about that damp feeling of sweat after a long hike.

If at all possible, slip into a fresh set of clothes before getting to sleep – top to bottom, underwear to wind jacket.

The last thing you want is clothes using your body heat to dry and trapping that moisture inside your sleeping bag.

TIP 4: DRINK WARM, NOT HOT

It’s a good idea to drink something warm and soothing before bedtime, like that warm cocoa and butter mix we mentioned.

However, a hot drink will get you sweating again.

TIP 5: KEEPING THE BUGS AWAY

All of us know that dreaded buzzing that appears out of nowhere just as you were drifting away. There are very few more annoying things in this world.

A few tips to keep the little pests away:

• When choosing a place to set up camp, go dry and high. Stay away from any swamps, streams or ponds.
• Go odorless with your cosmetics – any perfume mixed with your body smell is a mosquito magnet.
• If you are using a bug repellant, choose a water-resistant one. Your sweat lowers the effectiveness of regular bug-repellants.
• Go old-school – Bugs hate the smell of sage for some reason. Pack a branch or two into your backpack and throw one into the campfire. Then sit back and enjoy the silence.

TIP 6: SAY NO TO NIGHT CAPS

Although it’s a common and enjoyed ritual for a lot of hikers, alcohol before bedtime is not a smart idea.

It might make you feel warm for 10 minutes or so, bit it will continue to interfere with how your body regulates temperature for the rest of the night.

TIP 7: KEEP YOURSELF FROM FALLING ASLEEP RIGHT AWAY

This one might sound counterintuitive but it will make sense in a second. You might have settled for the night but your blood didn’t. It’s still rushing through your veins keeping you warm.

When you finally lay down, allow 10 minutes for your blood to settle. It’s only then that you can reliably assess if you need to add or shed layers.

TIP 8: GET CREATIVE AND LEARN TO ADAPT

It wouldn’t be any fun if hiking was only about walking around while staying in our comfort zone at all times.

You’ll rarely have everything you need, so it’s important to learn to think like a hiker and make the best use of what you have.

Here are a few examples:

If both your inflatable pillow and air pad are synthetic, there’s bound to be some slippage and you’ll find it hard to get comfortable. Slip one t-shirt onto the pad and wrap the pillow into another. It makes all the difference.

If you feel warm but your legs are cold, use a shirt as an extra layer just for your legs. You’ll not only warm them up, but you’ll have a warm and ready-to-go piece of clothing the next morning.

The post 8 Tips: How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep in the Outdoors appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

The good news is we already did all the “number crunching” for you.

For you it’s all about asking the right questions and letting not only the salesmen but the boots provide the answers. Next time you’re in the outdoors store, you’ll know exactly where to look and what to ask.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO USE THEM FOR? 

IF YOU PLAN TO HIKE IN MOSTLY WELL-KEPT TRAILS

Well-kept trails and light packs spell low/mid-cut hiking boots. Their uppers (everything above the soles) are made of leather and fabric, providing cooler feel and plenty of breathability.

Plan B – rain and heavy backpacks

GoreTex socks or waterproofing application is our best bet against the rain. For heavier loads we want more pronounced lugs (bumps on the outsole) for better traction and higher cut for better ankle support.

IF YOU PLAN TO INCLUDE ROUGHER TRAILS

Ankle-high boots offer enough comfort and protection during aggressive dayhiking or light backpacking. We go for leather/fabric or split-grain leather, depending on the “rough factor” of the trail. Go with waterproof (but breathable) liners for damp weather or well ventilated and porous models for desert-like conditions.

IF YOU HAVE THE HABIT OF GOING OFF-TRAIL

Goat paths, swampy terrains, patches of jagged rock, step descents all demand full-grain leather uppers and support above ankles.

For longer trips with heavier backpacks we want optimal flex for comfort and blister prevention, and protective rigid outsoles to go against the sharp rocks.

These hiking boots will take time to break in, so be sure to give them a proper trail run BEFORE embarking on a longer hike.

WHAT’S YOUR SKILL LEVEL?

Leg muscles “optimized” for hiking can only come from enough time on the trail.

Those muscles make the world of a difference. For example – experienced hikers will also have more resistance to rolled ankles and tweaked knees.

The rule of thumb is – the more your “hiking muscles” strengthen the more support you can shed off your boot. As your feet get stronger you can move towards lighter hiking shoes.

9 FEATURES YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

The most important ones are these 5:

1. Weight of the boot – There’s a saying among hikers. One pound on the foot equals five on the back. The heavier the boot, the more work for our legs.

2. Waterproof or not? – Water in our boots is a definite no-no. It’ll cause odor build-up, blisters and it’s generally uncomfortable. So, we should include waterproof materials that allow our feet to “breathe” and let perspiration escape. GoreTex membrane is all the rage nowadays, provided the temperatures aren’t too high.

3. Arch support – Proper support won’t let your feet flatten out under pressure, saving you a lot of pain. With high arches, you might consider buying additional orthotics insoles.

4. Injury protection – Two most common hiking injuries are twisted ankles and stubbed toes. Therefore, the rougher the terrain, the more ankle support we’ll need. Inclined surfaces will punish our toes for choosing a hiking boot without enough free room in the toe box.

5. Load support – Heavier backpacks require sturdiness and flexibility. We need a full range of motion, but also the kind of protection that’ll stop our feet from bending too far backward or forward.

Additionally, there are some other aspects worth to consider:

6. Gusseted tongue – It’s a name for tongue connected to the upper to prevent dirt, small rocks, water and debris we’ll find on-trail from getting inside the boot.

7. Rands – A tough guard made of rubber located either just in the front or all around the outer edge. It’s there to reinforce the most impacted areas of the boot. It both increases the life of your footwear and adds more toe protection. They can come with a “toe rand”, which is a toe cap also made of rubber.

8. Linings – GoreTex is a hard-core waterproof membrane. It offers some breathability but your feet will still sweat in high temperatures and direct sunlight. Linings with moisture wicking tech like Dri-Lex or Cambrelle are our best bet for water-resistance with added ventilation. They’ll often come with anti-microbial treatment for preventing odors.

9. Padded collar – Thick hiking collars ensure proper comfort and ankle support on the trail.

HOW CAN I TEST MY BOOTS AT A STORE?

A smart hiker will ignore the appearance of the boot or how fancy the brand is. How well the boots adapts to your foot shape is much more important.

Let’s go over a few ways to test if the boots are made for your feet:

1. The finger test – This is also the beginning of a proper fit testing. Put the boot on, leave it unlaced and try to slide your finger behind your foot. It should fit right in.

2. The sensory test – You’ll have to put your bare foot into your boot of choice for this one. Try and feel all the places where the boot feels tight (if any). You can’t really do this properly with socks on.

*note: Focus especially on the small toes and the big toe bone and if you feel pinching or pressure there.

3. The stride test – What happens with the boots while you’re walking? Does the top break as it should or jamming the area behind your toes too much? Is the heel moving together with the boot or sliding around? If your heel and the boot moving as one, the boots are too large and will cause blistering.

4. The test on the slant board – To top it all off, ask the salesman for a slant board. We must test how the boot performs on an incline. Try walking down and see how it feels. If your toes are touching the front, ask for a half size bigger pair. If they’re jammed, move on to the next model.

HOW TO FIT HIKING BOOTS- 9 TIPS

“Fit is king,” say the hikers. These are the steps we want to follow to choose the right fit:

1. Make sure it’s, at least, late in the afternoon (evening is more preferable, though). Our feet will expand during the day, so the best time to shop for hiking boots is when they’ve reached their full size.

2. Test the boots wearing your favorite socks

3. Include your orthotics

4. Compare your feet to the footbed

5. Slip your finger between the heel of the boot and the back of your foot. It should get there, no problem, if the fit is right

6. As you lace up, you foot should start moving

7. Your toes should have enough room at all times. They also shouldn’t be touching the front of the boot

8. See how they feel once you make a couple of steps

9. We don’t want any rubbing against your heel

HOW TO CHECK BOOT QUALITY IN THE STORE

Going with the famous brands is one way of determining quality because they have their name to live up to. But fancy logo doesn’t mean the boots are your match. We need to dig a bit deeper.

So here you have some tips for checking boot quality in the store:

• Check the stitching. We don’t want to see any loose threads or missed stitches.
• The connection between the sole and the upper should be tight and solid, without loose or weak spots.
• The leather should be smooth all over, without thin spots, uneven edges, cuts or abrasion.
• The thread (meaning lugs) should be solid, tough and thick. If it’s soft and spongy, it’ll wear quickly.
• We should opt for braided nylon laces instead of flat shoe laces. Eyelets should be durable and sturdy.

• Push your fingers against each other through the sole of the boot. They shouldn’t get anywhere near each other. If you can almost touch your fingers or get close to that, the soles are too thin, therefore not protective enough
• Try to wring the boot like a towel. If you can twist it, the midsoles are too soft and not doing their job
• Check the heels. We want tough and firm rather than soft and squishy

TIME FOR ADVENTURE!

I hope this little guide takes you to your “golden slippers”.

Just ask yourself these questions with every pair you think might be the one, and if it answers them correctly, we have our match made in Heaven.

Choose smartly, stay safe and see you on the trail.

The post How To Choose Hiking Boots appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.